Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Chinese Pouffies (Steamed Dumplings)

Actually you can stuff these with anything - leftovers? Anything that can be made into a stuffing-ish consistency will do, including chicken and ricotta, ham and cheese, even roast pork and cabbage. It's all good. Haven't tried any sweet versions yet but I bet they'd work.

1. Make a starter with
1/2 cup each of water and flour, 2 tsp dried yeast, 1 tsb sugar. Cover with cling film and leave to rise for at least 30 minutes or until it's looking like something from a sci-fi movie.

2. Make the dough, by adding 3 cups of flour, 1 cup of water, 1/4 cup of sugar, 1 tsp salt and 2 tblsp veg oil to the sci-fi starter. Have to admit I always end up fiddling around with the quantities so this might not be perfect first time.

3. Leave it to rise. It should be nice and soft and slightly sticky by the end.

4. Take off little chunks and pat them out, fill with whatever you're stuffing them with. pinch closed at the top. NOTE: I tried rolling them out first time but it didn't work out so well. You need realtively thicker dough in the centre, where you put the filling on, or it turns soggy and liable to break apart. So I pinch them thinner towards the edges, crimp the little dough-purse shut, and steam them upside down so the smooth side is upwards. Other people steam them smooth-side down.

5. Steam. Probably about 10-13 minutes - they'll be firm when they're done. They'll pouf out so leave space.

6. Serve hot and fresh, with some appropriate dipping sauce. Great after-school snack as well as a nice lunch.

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